Wine Auction for Cancer Hospice - One Week to Go!

The Hawkes Bay Charity Fine Wine Auction is the oldest charity wine auction in New Zealand, the only wine auction that specialises in wines from one region exclusively. The lots are unique, they are predominantly made specifically for the event as one-off wines. Hawkes Bay Wineries annually offer 30 or more lots for the event, now in its 22nd year. In its time the event has raised well over $2 million for its sole beneficiary, Cranford Hospice, one of New Zealands top palliative care facilities.  It culminates with a dinner and auction at Church Rd Winery’s Tom McDonald Cellar in Napier, on Saturday June 1st Queens Birthday weekend.  Auctioneer is the Hon Chris Tremain.  It’s a glamourous, glittering occasion in the Hawke’s Bay wine calendar and a week out from the event there is still time to secure a seat. 

“The relationship between the wineries, Cranford Hospice and the auction supporters is very strong” says  Graeme Milne from the event organising committee. “Besides the quality of this years wines, there are two main new drivers this year; the tribute lots for Sir Paul Holmes and Joseph Brimer, and the introduction of an online auction.”
 
“Sir Paul Holmes and Joseph Brimer both benefitted from Cranford’s care in their final days. Sir Paul was not only a previous MC,  but was always a big supporter of Hawke's Bay's Wine, Food and Tourism industries and did much to use his profile to promote his home province. Having a lot dedicated to his memory is the wine industry's way of thanking him. Joseph Brimer is the son of the much loved, and much-missed son of one of NZ's top photographers Richard Brimer.”
 
This years MC is wine media personality Yvonne Lorkin. She adds “ Richard Brimer has generously provided imagery and portraiture for this auction for over a decade,  only to have one of his children requiring the services of the very organisation he had been supporting.  It is also absolutely no understatement to say that Richard Brimer is responsible for creating images of Hawke's Bay wineries and wine personalities which have helped catapult the region into international publications and media watch-lists. He has single handedly created a sophisticated look and feel for the Hawkes Bay region which no other photographer or artist has ever been able to do, and this is our time to acknowledge his contribution to our industry.”
 
“Online bidding has reached over $8000 in the initial weeks however we expect that to escalate over the final week” says Graeme Milne. The website also enables anyone to purchase part-lots, especially the larger lots, by participating in virtual syndicates without having to organise other participants.”
 
There are 35 lots this year, highlighted by two tribute lots associated with Cranford Hospice’s recent patients, Lot 11 from Gimblett Gravels 2010 vintage selection, a case of 12 wines from the Gimblett Gravels winegrowing district selected by Paul Caillard MW is in memory of Sir Paul Holmes, and lot 20 a Quarter Barrique of Rifleman’s Chardonnay 2013 from Sacred Hill with a Richard Brimer limited edition photograph in memory of his son Joseph Brimer.
 
Each year a painting is donated by a well-known Hawke’s Bay artist. This year’s piece is “The View” by Nic Scotland. The event record was $35,000 for Dick Frizzell’s “Good Health” in 2006. This years lots also include 1 weeks accommodation and 2 complementary airfares for up to 12 people at the Reef House in Vanuatu; a Kidnapper Cliffs and Pacifica restaurant 12-course degustation meal for 6 people; and a Tukipo River Estate winemakers dinner.
 
The auction record was in 2006 when it raised $176,150. Individual, or table tickets, can be purchased online on the events website – and you can register as a silent or syndicate bidder on  http://charitywineauction.co.nz/. 

ENDS

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